Self-compensating drip irrigation emitter, comprising a unidirectional flow device

ABSTRACT

The object of this Patent is “Self-compensating drip emitter, with a one-way flow device”, which has a use as explained in the actual disclosure of the invention.  
     Its structure comprises a conventional dripper ( 1 ) inserted or installed in a pipe ( 2 ), with a self-compensating membrane ( 3 ) that regulates the flow in the chamber ( 4 ) for its discharge via the orifice ( 8 ), being provided with a filter cover ( 9 ) which supports the membrane ( 3 ).  
     Its essentiality lies in the use of a circular membrane ( 10 ) as a sealing diaphragm, which rests on a watertight fillet when the internal pressure in the pipe ( 2 ) is lower than the external pressure, while it rests on another stop ( 11 ) composed of retaining tabs when the pressures are inverted.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object to which the invention refers that is protected in this Patent consists of a “Self-compensating drip emitter, with a one-way flow device”, i.e. inside which the direction of the water circulation cannot be reversed because it would become a suction system instead of an emitter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Self-compensating drippers are already known, in which the outlet section varies in inverse proportion to the variations in pressure, with the result that the irrigation flow is kept practically constant. This is achieved by means of the use of a peripheral elastic membrane which withstands the pressure of the water in the pipe in which the dripper is inserted on its outer face, while a small pressure is exerted on its inner face, adjoining the outlet orifice, by the flow of the liquid along a labyrinth, which gives rise to a loss of head.

With this arrangement, if the pressure in the pipe is relatively high at the point where the dripper is inserted, the membrane moves closer to the outlet orifice, reducing the supply chamber and the delivery flow, while acting inversely if the pressure in the pipe is relatively low.

Said drippers are usually inside elastic pipes in an underground run, a system that offers numerous advantages, such as the absence of losses due to runoff and evaporation, prevention of fungal infections in plants, but, above all, suitable localization of the supply of water at the place where it is needed, alongside the absorbing roots. Thus, a wet bulb is successfully formed, utilizable in its whole volume, and not as in surface drip systems, in which the volume of water that is discharged near the surface is not utilized by the plant, as its root system is much lower down.

This system, however, also presents a problem: the obstruction of the drippers, when the direction of flow of the water is reversed due to a change in pressure in the pipes, so that negative pressure and suction are thereby created, which, as the dripper is buried, causes earth to enter and makes it unserviceable.

To overcome this problem, the company, which is also the holder of Invention Patent NO 9700396, is filing this application, wherein the suction of particles of earth that could take place due to the negative pressure created in the pipe after the water supply is cut off is effectively surmounted thanks to a moving ball built into the emitter, which acts as a “non-return valve”.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention which represents the object of this Patent consists of contributing improvements to the means of sealing the water emitter outlet, when negative pressures are created in the pipe in which it is housed.

To this end, the nature, form and arrangement of this known sealing means has been modified, improving its function features and transforming the emitter into one that is essentially different

In fact, the essence of the invention consists of the replacement of the known anti-suction ball valve with a circular membrane of an elastomer material which is deformed as the pressure builds up in the pipe until it lifts off its seat at the time of the start of irrigation, so that the water runs out freely.

When, as a result of irregularities in the ground being irrigated or negative pressures in the pipes, i.e., when the external pressure is higher than the internal, a reverse flow is generated in conventional emitters not provided with an anti-suction valve, which draws in mud, algae and substances in suspension in the wet bulb into the pipe by way of the emitter. These substances may prevent the proper working of the emitter unit or even permanently block its water through flow sections.

The main aim of the anti-suction device is to prevent reflux towards the inside of the dripper and maintain one-way flow towards the exterior of the water stream as the only direction possible.

To obtain this result at the outlet of the emitter unit, the compensated water outlet section is provided with a moving seal consisting of a diaphragm of an elastomer material, which, when positioned in its respective housing and depending on the direction of the flow, can be moved with sufficient excursion, from the compensated water outlet orifice to the area of the next stop.

The dripper outlet orifice is provided with a support fillet in its outer circular perimeter that assures a watertight seal in a bi-stable union with the membrane.

The bi-stability of the elastic seal depends on the direction of the flow of fluid oppressing it, acting according to one of the two possible alternatives:

-   -   a) When the internal pressure of the flow in the pipe is higher         than the external pressure (usually atmospheric), the seal moves         away from the sealing fillet in the direction of the second stop         consisting of retaining tabs. The water, which runs through a         generously sized section between the outlet orifice and the         surface of the diaphragm continues its flow over the outer         surface of the emitter and the inner surface of the pipe, to         which it is securely welded and is finally discharged to the         exterior through a hole perforated for this purpose in the         emitter pipe.     -   b) When, in the opposite case, the external pressure is higher         than the internal pressure, as flow would be generated to the         interior of the emitter; but at the same time, and forced by the         external pressure, the sealing diaphragm is moved from its         opening position to its sealing position, resting on and being         pressed down against the seating fillet of the dripper outlet         orifice, thereby preventing the entry of water and of dangerous         particles in suspension.

The structure of the emitter claimed, whose operation has been described above, is made up of the following components:

-   -   A conventional self-compensating dripper inserted or installed         in an emitter pipe, with its self-compensating diaphragm, which         facilitates the regulation of the flow in its chamber and its         discharge to the non-return area, from which the flow runs         towards the pipe outlet or discharge orifice.     -   A conventional cover that acts as a filter for the flow of water         through its narrow windows and as a support for the         self-compensating diaphragm.     -   A circular membrane of an elastomer material which acts as a         sealing diaphragm, resting on a watertight sealing fillet when         the internal pressure in the pipe is lower than the external         pressure, whereas it lifts off this seat and rests on a second         stop consisting of various retaining tabs when the internal         pressure in the pipe is higher than the external pressure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To supplement the description of the invention and facilitate the interpretation of the formal, structural and functional features of its object, drawings are attached representing diagrammatically different aspects of a preferred embodiment of the “Self-compensating drip emitter, with a one-way flow device” which is the object of this Patent. In said drawings:

FIG. 1.—It is a cross section of the emitter claimed, cut through a plane that passes along its longitudinal axis of symmetry and divides it into two equal symmetrical parts.

FIG. 2.—It is an enlargement of detail “A” in FIG. 1.

In these two figures the emitter is shown out of service, with the two membranes (the self-compensating and the sealing diaphragm) at rest.

FIG. 3.—It represents, in a symmetrical longitudinal section, a possible solely formal version of the emitter, in which its end areas have been simplified with regard to the corresponding formal features of the emitter represented in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4.—It represents the emitter claimed, in a symmetrical longitudinal section, showing the position of the membranes when the internal pressure in the pipe is greater than the external. In this situation the self-compensating membrane is pressing on the regulating groove that connects up with the dripper outlet passage, performing its flow regulating function. The sealing diaphragm is moved to its open position against the tab stop, permitting circulation and the discharge of the water stream.

FIG. 5.—It is an enlargement of detail “B” of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6.—It represents the emitter claimed, in a symmetrical longitudinal section, showing the position of the membranes when the internal pressure in the pipe is lower than the external pressure, which would give rise to the reversal of the circulating direction of the flow, with the detrimental consequences described, to obviate which the circular membrane blocks the flow of water and thereby prevents suction.

FIG. 7.—It is an enlargement of detail “C” of FIG. 6.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE DESCRIPTION

To show clearly the nature and scope of the advantageous application of the “Self-compensating drip emitter, with a one-way flow device” which constitutes the object of the invention claimed, its operation and structure are described below, making reference to the drawings which, through representing a preferred embodiment of said object, for purely informative purposes, should be considered in their broadest sense and not as limiting the application and the content of the invention claimed.

The emitter claimed has a built-in discoid membrane (10) acting as a non-return valve, which fulfils its specific function when the external pressure is greater than the internal pressure in the emitter pipe, thereby preventing the entry of water into the dripper by suction.

When the internal pressure is greater than the external pressure, the water passes through the filtering windows in the filter cover (9), exerting an even pressure on the self-compensating membrane (3), traverses the turbulence ducts and reaches the regulation chamber (4).

Final regulation and stabilization of the flow takes place in this chamber in accordance with the pressure of the water under the action of the self-compensating membrane (3), which presses on the regulating groove (12). The flow stabilized at a given delivery rate passes through the passage (5), the sealing diaphragm (10) and, via the outlet ducts (7) reaches the cylindrical outlets areas where the pipe (2) discharge orifices (8) are located.

When the external pressure is greater than the internal pressure in the pipe, to prevent the flow from being reversed, the sealing diaphragm (10) is compressed against its flat seat, impeding the entry of water and particles in suspension from the exterior to the dripper.

The structure of the emitter claimed, the operation of which has been described above, is made up of the following components:

-   -   A conventional self-compensating dripper (1), inserted or         installed in an emitter pipe (2), with its self-compensating         membrane (3) that facilitates the regulation of the flow rate in         the chamber (4) and its outlet along the passage (5) to the         non-return area (6), from which the flow circulates along the         duct (7) to the pipe (2) outlet or discharge orifice (8).     -   A conventional cover (9) that acts as a filter for the flow of         water through its narrow windows and as a support for the         self-compensating membrane (3).     -   A circular membrane (10), of an elastomer material, which acts         as a sealing diaphragm, resting on a watertight seating fillet         when the internal pressure in the pipe (2) is lower than the         external pressure, while it lifts off said seat and rests on a         second stop (11) consisting of various retaining tabs when the         internal pressure in the pipe (2) is greater than the external         pressure. 

1. Drip irrigation emitter with an anti-suction device, for use in emitter pipes, the emitter comprising: a conventional self-compensating dripper (1), inserted or installed in an emitter pipe (2), with a self-compensating membrane (3) that facilitates regulation of the flow rate in a chamber (4) and its outlet via a passage (5) to a non-return area (6), from which the flow circulates along a duct (7) to an outlet or discharge orifice (8) in the pipe (2); a conventional cover (9) that acts as a filter for the flow of water through its narrow windows and as a support for the self-compensating membrane (3), wherein a circular membrane (10), of an elastomer material, is provided which acts as a sealing diaphragm, resting on a watertight seating fillet when the internal pressure in the pipe (2) is lower than the external pressure, and lifts off said seat and rests on a second stop (11), consisting of various retaining tabs, when the internal pressure in the pipe (2) is greater than the external pressure. 